Method of making self-lubricating bearings



METHOD OF MAKING sEL IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII s.

Patented Mar. 14, 1922..

' UNITED STATES VINCENT G. APPLE, OF DAYTON, OHIO.

1 METHOD OF MAKING SELF-LUBRICATING BEARINGS.

To all whom it 0011 027 Be it known that I VINCENT G. APPLE,

- a citizen of 'the United States, residing at Dayton, in the county of the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in a method of making self-lubricating bear- .mgs.

One of the objects of the invention is to improve the manner of making self-lubricating bearings, whereby to cheapen the cost of production and better the quality of the product. X

Another object is to provide a new and useful article of manufacture.

In carrying the invention into effect, I

provide a foraminous strip of fabric, preferably wire cloth, although coarse mesh fiber fabric, such for example as cotton or linen,

more or less porous, will answer the purpose.

I then prepare a compound of finely divided graphite and phenolic condensation product, or other similar -material that hardens' by application of heat. I then cover one side of the fabric with the compound distributed thereon in a layer of uniform and sufficient thickness. It is well to mix the graphite with the condensation product in a liquid form to thereby make a paste, although the powdered condensation product when thoroughly mixed with the graphite may be used. I now roll the strip'thus prepared,

into helical cylindrical form with the inner convolutions much smaller in diameter than the ultimate diameter of the bearing. I

then apply pressure, from the interior of the cylinder thus made, outwardly or radially and uniforml to compact-the walls of the cylinder, lubricating pulverulent and binder and to enlarge the inner diameter of I the cylinder .to'the size required for the finished bearing. This operation alsoforces the lubricating materlal into the meshes of the convoluted strip and the distribution is substantially uniform throughout the bearing cylinder. The compacted cylinder is then baked to cause the adhesive substance to harden. After the structure thus made.-

has been baked'there isthus produced a bearing that is self-lubricating havlng the highest efliciency and well adapted for the pur--,

v binder "incorporated i with he graphlte bepose intended.

Specification of Letters Patent.

PatentedMar. 14, 1922.

Application filed October 11, 1920. Serial No. 416,308.

Other Objects will readily appear.

Fig. 1 shows a die within which the convoluted strip is contained to haveits diameter increased and'its walls compacted by insertion of the plunger or punch rod.

1 1g. 2 shows a modification of Fig. 1 show ng another manner of increasing the density ofthe side walls and inserting the lubricant.

Fig. ,3 shows the plunger or punch rod inserted,l nd

Fig. is. an .isometric the finished hearing.

In the drawings- 5 shows the convoluted cylinder of fabric or wire cloth 6, window screen cloth will answer, with the graphite and binder 7 perspective view of therebetween. The cylinder has a relatively,

small'internal diameter. The cylinder cons sts of a fiber fabric or. wire cloth of the character described made into a strip of suitable width, which is equal to the length it is .to be made, having deposited thereon a ience of operation, is provided with a pointed end 12. In the bottom of the opening,

in the die 9,t-here is laced a washer or ring 13, which, in the beginning of the operation, that is, of forcing the plunger 7 into the-interior of the cylinder '5, a plugor part of the shaft 15 may be inserted and held in the opening 16 temporarily to. prevent any of the material from the cylinder 5 entering the opening 17 in the washer or ring 13.

About thetime the point 12 approaches the ring 13, the plug or shaft 15 is removed andlthen the plunger 11 is forced entirely through the cylinder 5.'. The plunger 11 is of diameter corresponding with the diameter of the opening 18 in the finished product 19. .'After the plunger 11 has been forced through the structure 5, in the manner heretofore described, the die may be placed in a suitablemufiler or furnace and heated to the desired temperature until the comes hardened by the effect of the heat,

after which the structure is removed from the die and it is ready'to be placed in the bearing support for a rotatable shaft.

In Fig. 2 is shown a powdered compound,

such as heretofore described, indicated by the reference character 20, and a plunger 11 having a relatively sharp end 12' and I have 'shown guide portion 10 partly filled with. a compound so that when the plungeris pushed through structure 5", the compound will be forced radially into the meshes of the wire cloth or fabric 6'. In this instance the fabric is wound without placing all ofthe material on the surface of the fabric before it is convoluted in the manner described. Y

Having described my invention, what' I claimas'new and desire to secure by Letstrip of fabric; mixing finely divided lubricating material and a suitable binder; covering the strip with the mixture; rolling the strip and covering into a cylinder having a relatively mall internal diameter; compactin the walls of the cylinder by radially directed pressure and coincidentally increasing the internal diameter of saidc linder, t'oprovide a bearing surface.

4. he method of making self-lubricating bearings which consists in providing a strip of fabric; mixing finely divided graphite with a phenolic condensation produdt; covering the strip with the mixture; rolling the strip and covering into a cylinder having a smaller internal diameter than'the finished bearing is to have; compacting and reducing the thickness of the wall of the cylinder by application of radially directed pressure then baking the cylinder to harden the adhesive.

5. The method of making a bearing which consists in winding a fora'minous strip into helical form with its internal diameter smaller than the ultimate diameter of the bearing; forcing graphite into the interstices by. radially directed pressure, enlargingthe bearing opening and making said opening and outer surface concentric in one operation' In testimony whereof I hereunto sub scribed my name.

' VINCENT G. APPLE. 

